Jerome "Jerry" George Cech Jr. was born March 5, 1944, in Columbus, Nebraska to Jerome and Dorothy(Dobry) Cech, Sr. He attended rural grade school and graduated from Clarkson High School in 1962. He enlisted in the Army National Guard and served until 1970. On January 3, 1970, Jerry married Carolyn Herling at Heun Catholic Church. The lived and farmed in rural Clarkson, Jerry having lived his entire life on the same section. He enjoyed his 8 grandchildren, gardening, farm life, his cattle, four wheelers and tractors. He loved paddle fishing and watching the river flow by on family trips to Yankton. Jerry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carolyn ,two daughters;Dawn(Roger) Brabec, Clarkson, Laura(Ryan) Ruskamp, Dodge, two sons;Jerome(Pam) Cech III,Clarkson, Roy(Brenda) Cech, Howells, eight grandchildren;Kayla Cech, Jessica Brabec, Betty Cech, Brittany Cech, Cassie Brabec, Emily Cech, Addison Ruskamp and Easton Ruskamp, sister-in-law Joan Wachal, Schuyler, brothers-in-law Dennis Herling, Clarkson, Lambert(Charlotte) Herling, Clarkson and Bob(Mary) Herling of Schuyler. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law John and Alfrieda Herling, brothers-in-law John Herling, Dennis Wachal, Jim Vondruska, and sisters-in-law Betty Vondruska and Bonnie Herling.